SAN ANTONIO, Texas, 13 July 2003 — The San Antonio Spurs beat the New Jersey Nets in the National Basketball Association finals, but they weren’t able to wrest Jason Kidd away.

The NBA’s best point guard planned to make his decision by tomorrow, but Spurs general manager R.C. Buford made it clear that the decision already has been made after talking with Kidd’s agent Jeff Schwartz on Friday.

“Earlier today, I heard from Jeff Schwartz, who indicated that Jason Kidd has decided to stop talks and negotiations with the San Antonio Spurs,” Buford said.

“While it is disappointing news for us, we are happy for Jason and his family and wish them continued success.”

Kidd, 30, cannot officially sign a contract until Wednesday but sent a brief statement through Schwartz saying, “I have enjoyed being here the past two years. I have worked hard with my teammates and believe in our future.”

Nets president Rod Thorn can breathe a sigh of relief after making the maximum offer of six years for about $99 million to Kidd, who led the Nets to the NBA Finals each of the last two years.

Thorn went from possibly losing Kidd to retaining his star and perhaps adding free agent center Alonzo Mourning.

WTEM Radio in Washington reported Friday that Mourning will sign a four-year contract with the Nets after receiving assurances that Kidd would remain with the team. “The New Jersey Nets have been involved in active negotiations with free agents Jason Kidd and Alonzo Mourning with the intention of signing both players once the free agent moratorium ends on Wednesday,” Thorn said.

“Due to NBA free agency rules, I cannot provide further comment on these signings until after the moratorium has expired.”

Kidd turned down the chance to play with two-time reigning Most Valuable Player Tim Duncan, who led the Spurs to their second title in five years last season with a 4-2 victory over Kidd and the Nets in the NBA finals. After enduring the pain of being the bridesmaid for the second straight year, Kidd was courted by the Nets, San Antonio, Dallas and Denver.

But the Spurs, with $18 million in salary cap room, were the biggest threat to lure Kidd from New Jersey.

Kidd and his wife, Joumana, went on a tour of San Antonio on Sunday and Monday.

But the process turned ugly for Kidd when the New York Post reported he issued an ultimatum to the Nets to fire coach Byron Scott. Thorn emphatically denied Kidd made that request.

Since acquiring Kidd two years ago for Stephon Marbury, Thorn has done everything possible to accommodate Kidd. Thorn traded for Mutombo and signed Kidd’s friend, Rodney Rogers, last summer.